Serpentine Court is an aging block that is proving more difficult and expensive to maintain the standards we and our residents expect. Following a ballot in 2018 tenants voted for the Lakes regeneration project to be brought forward, in order to provide new homes to those living in secure accommodation in Serpentine Court, as well as providing other estate improvements that benefit the wider Lakes Community.

The council’s Regeneration and Estate Renewal Strategy aims to improve our estates and build healthy, safe and sustainable communities. We are achieving this by bringing together local residents and community leaders, such as parish and town councils, to identify where we can invest in our communities by improving facilities and opportunities for local people, repurposing existing buildings and building new council homes. Environmental sustainability is kept at the forefront of our regeneration activities and we are promoting health and wellbeing, so that everyone has the same opportunities to live a long and healthy life.

Milton Keynes City Council have appointed GRAHAM building contractors to carry out the construction works for the 183 new homes in the first phase of the Lakes Regeneration project.  The work commenced onsite in January 2024.  Construction of the 183 homes in Phase A of the project is due to be completed by Summer 2026. Timescales for the construction of the remaining 406 homes in Phase B will be provided in due course.

Once all the properties in Serpentine Court are empty the buildings will be demolished, in preparation for Phase B. 

The council owned homes, and the external and communal spaces in Serpentine Court, are in need of significant investment, refurbishment or replacement. This is largely due to the age of the properties, how they were built and how they have been maintained. Over a number of years, most of the council owned homes across the Lakes Estate have had significant investment, with new cladding, insulation, windows and doors fitted. These homes, therefore, do not now have the same investment requirements as homes in Serpentine Court. The wider Lakes Estate will, however, benefit from other improvements such as new and improved community and commercial facilities. Several of the courtyards have already been improved along with the provision of 4 new children’s play parks. Warren Park will also be substantially improved, which will benefit all residents living on the estate. 

Milton Keynes City Council has secured funding through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to council properties across the city including homes on the Lakes Estate. Energy upgrades will vary according to the level of need and could range from small insulation projects to entire wraparounds with new ventilation. The scheme will boost property energy ratings and could save council tenants hundreds of pounds on energy bills.

There will be a number of homes on the Lakes Estate that will benefit from the SHDF initiative and MEARS will be carrying out the work. Please note this is a separate project to the new homes being built by GRAHAM. If you have any queries/questions regarding the SHDF project please call MEARS on: 0330 123 2522 option 5

The council has also funded a helpline to advise homeowners on reducing their energy bills. Those interested can call freephone 0800 107 0044 to speak to the National Energy Foundation’s Better Housing Better Health team.

Sizes of the homes will vary according to the site and location of the properties.

The regeneration is being funded in a number of different ways, that include, MKCC’s Housing Revenue Account, Council borrowing and Homes England Grant funding.

Every regeneration programme should have the opportunity to benefit from an Independent Advisor. Independent Advisors provide support and advice for residents, focussing on how regeneration affects them. The advisor works with residents and resident groups to involve them in decision making, setting standards and agreeing how they would like to be engaged with. The independent advisor for the Lakes Estate is TPAS and their representative is Kevin Farrell. TPAS were selected by the tenants of Serpentine Court and they have a freephone number and email address specifically for Serpentine Court residents. If you would like to find out more about the current consultation on the future of Serpentine Court; have any questions or wish to put your point of view across, you can contact Kevin for free independent advice using the freephone and email details: 

Freephone: 0800 731 1619 Email: serpentinecourt@tpas.org.uk

GRAHAM Resident Liaison:

Information on the progress of the building work can be obtained directly from the building contractor ‘GRAHAM’. Newsletters and updates on areas that may impact residents, such as temporary road diversions & footpath closures, can be obtained by registering on GRAHAM’s dedicated website for the Lakes project:  www.graham.co.uk/lakes-estates 

GRAHAM also has a Resident Liaison Officer, who is their main face to face contact for matters related to the construction works:

Samantha Key - Resident Liaison Officer (RLO). 
Email: Samantha.Key@graham.co.uk

Yes, all new homes built since 1990 are fitted with a water meter.

No, none of the new homes will have gas supply. Electrically operated Air Source Heat Pumps will provide hot water for the new homes and electric panel radiators will provide heating. The homes will be thermally insulated to a high standard in order to minimise energy usage.

Solar Panels will be installed where homes are geographically positioned to be able to benefit from them.

The new blocks will not have a sprinkler system as they are all below 11m tall. There will however, of course be the required safety procedures and standards as required by building control and Bucks Fire.

There will be a secure door entry system and CCTV will be provided in certain areas.

The new blocks will have lifts if they are 4 storeys.

Secure tenants who move out of Serpentine Court to the new homes, will retain their secure tenancy.

GRAHAM will consult Serpentine Court residents on the palette of colours to be used across the new homes.

Milton Keynes City Council’s Allocation Team have produced a Local Lettings Policy (LLP) dedicated to secure residents moving out of Serpentine Court. The LLP includes information on the following:

• Housing Needs Assessment
• Home loss grant
• Disturbance Allowance
• Eligibility criteria
• Right to Return
• Temporary accommodation 
• Choices 

When the new is Local Lettings Policy (LLP) is available you will be able to access it using the following link: 

https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/housing/regeneration-and-renewal-milton-keynes